Why Undertake Organ Study?

The quality of civilization can be measured through its music, dance, drama, architecture, visual art and literature.

–Ernest L. Boyer

Music is a part of every culture and is a need of each human being. The mastery of music brings about a synthesis of the intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical, and aesthetic capacities of an individual.

“In a world fixed on the pursuit of materialistic goals with ever-increasing fervor, students whose gifts might lead them toward a life of selfless, artistic service often feel isolated . . . ,” says K. Newell Dayley, former BYU Music Department Chair. He further explains that those students are often counseled to channel their time and energy towards more “safe” job-oriented pursuits, leaving their talents undeveloped. Later in the lives of these students, “. . . with the clarity and wisdom born of time and experience, they sense with sadness what might have been if they would have refined their gifts with courage and tenacity. . . . To those students with musical gifts we extend our support. May they look beyond the immediate concerns of a materialistic society and refine those gifts with faith that such actions will lead them toward a life of fulfillment and meaningful service.”

Sharing Talents and Giving Service

In the latter part of the mission statement for Brigham Young University we read: “In meeting these objectives BYU’s faculty, staff, students, and administrators should also be anxious to make their service and scholarship available to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in furthering its work worldwide. In an era of limited enrollments, BYU can continue to expand its influence both by encouraging programs that are central to the church’s purposes and by making its resources available to the church when called upon to do so.”
There is a strong probability that one who plays the piano will at some time be called to play the organ for church services. By taking advantage of the opportunity to study organ at BYU, one can further develop talents and skills in preparation for more effective church music service. There is increasing urgency and need to prepare ourselves to teach and train others to become organists for the wards, branches, and stakes of the church. This is one important way we can fulfill the motto of the university- “Go Forth to Serve.”